Brotherly love

A few months ago, matching the boys' clothes was the farthest thing from my mind.  Now here we are...playing dress up.  I never thought I would have so much fun dressing my boys!

The funny thing is we haven't bought too many clothes ourselves so matching outfits are hard to find in the clothes madness but when we do, you know mommy gets excited and gets out the camera for a quick photo shoot!

All dressed up and nowhere to go...

Lounging in pajamas...holding hands!

Marcos and Sofia's first few days at home

Sofia and Marcos are free!

After a long 98 day stay, Marcos and Sofia were released from the NICU on August 23, 2011.  We couldn't believe it.  We thought this day would never come.  Luckily, the doctors and nurses had been preparing me for a few weeks.  I was excited but so nervous to take them home.  It was scary for me to think that all they needed was five days without an apnea or a brady.  I was afraid it would happen at home.  I was scared that I would be a nervous wreck worrying all the time.  I had so much adrenaline going through my body that day, that I almost felt sick. 

Here is the stroller and the diaper bag....still no babies....

And our very last day at morning rounds with some of the amazing nurses and doctors.  And finally baby Carlos attends rounds.

Babies still needed to pass their car seat test...

One last pic of the crib the triplets shared.  All the pictures were taken by all our wonderful nurses!

The picture that will go on the NICU bulletin board...

And a bitter sweet moment, as we leave Carlitos behind for a few days. 

And just as we were leaving, some of the evening nurses walk in.  Such an emotional moment.  They have taken such good care of our babies and have spent more time with them than we have.  They will always be part of our family and we will miss them so much! 



Our nights this week...

This is what daddy and babies look like in the middle of the night. 

Getting very little sleep.

We are home!

It's been over a week since Carlitos came home, and over two weeks since Marcos and Sofia were released.  It's been a big blur.  Two babies were definitely manageable...the third one makes it super hard, especially nights.  We are getting no sleep.  Sofia has some digestion issues, gas or colic, I don't know...but she is so uncomfortable at times and screams so loud.

All three babies love to be held, day or night!

Since the babies have been home, I have:

• changed a ton of diapers
• seen way too much poop
• done a lot of burping
• prepared a lot of bottles
• nursed way less than what I wanted to....and pumped a lot more
• managed to bottle feed one baby and hold the others pacifier
• carefully walk down the stairs while holding 2 babies
• bottle fed one and pump at the same time
• made it on time to three doctors' appointments
• showered every day
• reminded my husband what a good daddy he is
• dealt with a very bad, horrible diaper rash
• volunteered at Isabella's school
• And gotten very little sleep....

I've cried tears of joy and happiness and tears of exhaustion.  There are days I feel completely overwhelmed.  I've given myself lots and lots of pep talks, the one that works the best is when I remind myself of everything my little babies went through.  Every breath they struggled with, every poke they got.  I think to myself...if they survived it, so can I!  I will not fail them.

PicturesTaken August 30, 2011

3 1/2 months old, 2 days old adjusted

Day 3

Marcos and Sofia were released from the hospital after their 98 day stay in the NICU.

We are so thankful for this day and our little miracles. Leaving Carlos behind was tough but I feel good about all the nurses that take care of him. I know he is getting excellent care and plenty of cuddles. Taking them out of those doors was so surreal. I kept thinking they are breathing outside air, and breathing on their own! My little fighters have surprised us all!

The days are once again starting to blurr altogether...I don't want to miss the small stuff or not be able to remember anything. I will try to blog at least once a week.

Finally an update

Today the triplets are 96 days old. How I wish I could have had the time and energy to blog about everything they have been through...but since we cannot turn back time, I will start with today.

They will soon be home! We can see the end to the NICU journey, and we are getting things ready.
We have 3 cribs, 2 swings, 2 car seats (yes, we need one more) a new mini van! lots and lots of clothes, diapers, blankets, hats, bibs and so much more. Mom and dad are working on the room, putting curtains up and washing and cleaning as much as we can. We still cannot believe how generous people have been. We are so thankful for every gift, whether its new or used. We are grateful for everything that has been given to us!

This past week:
Tuesday: Lemonade party for Big Sister's Kinder class
Wednesday: First day of Kinder!!

 
Thursday: Sofia's eye laser surgery
Friday: The boys' hernia surgery. The surgeries kept getting pushed back and the boys were starving. It was so hard, the IV fluids started around 6am and the surgeries were not until early evening. They could not eat all day long. Thankfully, our nurses did a great job in holding and trying to comfort them.

All the surgeries went well. Sofia recovered very quickly, while the boys are still a bit sleepy.

On this 96th day, I am missing my babies. I stayed home from the hospital to finish organizing their room. I think we are ready! No nursing today but lots of pumping. Mama's pumping about 45 oz of breast milk a day!!! and I need more!!